Khan doubles housing targets

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced plans on 29 November to build more than 250,000 homes in the capital's 13 outer suburbs as part of his draft London Plan.

London mayor Sadiq Khan announced the ambitious housing plan in November

He outlined 'radical changes' to limits on the density of new residential developments, which were set to protect the 'local character' of boroughs, bans on parking spaces at new housing close to key transport hubs, as well as protections for pubs.

With the population of London expected to grow from eight million to over 10 million by the year 2041, the 25-year plan sets a target to build 65,000 houses every year with half of those to be classed as affordable.

Khan said: "With London's population expected to increase by 70,000 every year, reaching 10.8 million in 2041, it's vital we properly plan for growth with new affordable homes in every area of the capital.

"I am using all of the powers at my disposal in my first draft London Plan to tackle the housing crisis head on – removing ineffective constraints on homebuilders so that we can make the most of precious land in the capital to build more homes in areas with the best transport links."

The largest targets for new housing have been set for the east London boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets, with demands for 38,500 and 35,110 new homes respectively.

The borough of Barnet in north London and Croydon, in the south of the city are each expected to grow by 30,000 homes.

The borough of Barnet in north London and Croydon, in the south of the city are each expected to grow by 30,000 homes.

Conservative London Assembly member Andrew Boff criticised the plan: "The mayor's entire approach signals a downgrading in the quality of the capital's housing and will leave outer London browner, overcrowded and harder to get around.

"The abandonment of sensible unit restrictions will see families crammed into rabbit hutch developments with no provision for parking if they live anywhere near a train station."

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of business group, London First, cautiously welcomed the news: "London's success comes from the people who live and work here and we've been failing to build the homes they need for too long.

The mayor's commitment to tackling our housing crisis is hugely welcome, but the London Plan must now deliver its part.

"By being smart about how and where we build, making better use of land and setting targets that councils can and must hit, the mayor will help open a door for the countless people priced out of a place to call home."